Tusk (2014 film)

Tusk
On top of a red background, an outline of the face of a scared man with the film's logo in his mouth and a pair of walrus tusks hanging below, while the billing block and release date remain at the bottom.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKevin Smith
Written byKevin Smith
Based on"SModcast #259: The Walrus and The Carpenter"
starring Kevin Smith
Scott Mosier
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJames Laxton
Edited byKevin Smith
Music byChristopher Drake
Production
companies
Distributed byA24
Release dates
  • September 6, 2014 (2014-09-06) (TIFF)
  • September 19, 2014 (2014-09-19) (United States)
Running time
101 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$3 million
Box office$1.9 million[1]

Tusk is a 2014 American independent body horror comedy film written and directed by Kevin Smith, based on a story from his SModcast podcast. The film stars Michael Parks, Justin Long, Haley Joel Osment, Genesis Rodriguez, Lily-Rose Depp and Johnny Depp. The film is the first in Smith's planned True North trilogy, followed by Yoga Hosers (2016).[2][3]

The film deals with an arrogant podcaster (Long) who travels to Canada for an interview, and in the process meets an eccentric retired sailor (Parks) with dark plans related to his obsession with a walrus named Mr. Tusk.

Tusk had its world premiere at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, before it was released by A24 on September 19, 2014, and it received mixed reviews, with praise given to its atmosphere and production values but criticism for its inconsistent tone. The film was Smith's first major wide release since Cop Out (2010). However, some sources note that the divide amongst viewers and critics lends to a sort of cult status among some circles online.[4][5]

  1. ^ "Tusk (2014)". The Numbers. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  2. ^ "Is Kevin Smith's Box-Office Disaster, 'Tusk,' the End of His Filmmaking Career or a Much-Needed Wake-Up Call?". Pajiba. September 21, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference BKit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Kevin Smith's Tusk 2: Why the Director's Idea is the Sequel We Need". Screen rant. August 18, 2020.
  5. ^ "Thanks to 'Tusk', Kevin Smith Has Funding for 'Clerks III'". Slashfilm. September 29, 2014.